By Edwin Mauluka
Parliament saw heated exchanges after Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola Banda criticized the government’s handling of suspects linked to pre-election violence earlier this year.
Chithyola, who served as finance minister in the previous administration, argued that the mass arrests and denial of bail to 15 suspects undermined justice and equality.
“The pursuit of justice must never be politicised. Malawi is our home, and no one should feel unsafe or unwelcome,” he said. “It is regrettably shocking to hear of police brutality exerted on the 15 arrested individuals.”
He questioned why development partners, CSOs, NGOs, and religious groups had remained silent amid alleged rights violations, warning that Malawi risked “transforming into a police state.”
“Malawians are now reminded of many atrocities that happened in the past,” Chithyola said.
His remarks drew sharp criticism from several lawmakers, who accused the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of hypocrisy and of shielding perpetrators of political violence while in power.
Zomba Malosa MP Grace Kwelepeta, whose vehicle was damaged during one of the incidents at Parliament in Lilongwe, rebuked Chithyola’s comments.
“You watched them attacking people, including us, here at Parliament, and your administration never acted. Were you sending them?” she asked.
Mwanza Central MP Felix Njawala added: “Is it in order for somebody with dirty hands to come and demand equity?”
Outside Parliament, social media users also weighed in.
Mike Master Nkhoma wrote that Malawians voted out the MCP for “shielding such men,” while Promie Kubala added, “You failed to act until citizens kicked you out.”
Banda C. Banda commented that justice “would not have reigned freely” if the MCP were still in power, while Douglas China Male said there was “photo and video evidence” that the previous government ignored.
After MCP Publicity Secretary Jessie Kabwila issued a statement backing the suspects, John Alexander B. Msachi questioned her shift in position:
“I thought it was the same Kabwila who said those thugs belonged to the DPP. Why is she coming out now?”
